The Thesis Statement
Tips for Forming Your Thesis Statement
A successful thesis statement has two parts: observation +
insight.
The observation section of the thesis tells us
what is;
The insight section answers the questions
so what? why should we care? how is this different from what we
have assumed? what new information does this provide? what is the
solution to this dilemma?
Often the two parts of the thesis are connected by
because.
Don't rush.
You may have a question or topic area but are unable to form a
thesis until you have written the body of your paper. A thesis is,
after all, an insight or conclusion you must earn by writing and
thinking. Often good writers do not begin working with a full-blown
thesis in mind.
Example 1: Women were not honored for service
in Vietnam until 1993 because cultural forces operated to suppress
information about women in combat and non-combat roles.
Example 2: Scientists from several nations have
challenged global warming theories, claiming that they are more
propaganda than science.
Example 3: Because the polygraph has proven
more reliable than previously thought, the Supreme Court is
reconsidering the test's admissibility as evidence.